ACT - Action Counters Terrorism
Information about counter terrorism and Action Counters Terrorism.
On this page:
About Counter Terrorism policing
Examples of suspicious behaviour
Reporting suspicious behaviour
About counter terrorism policing
Counter terrorism policing is carried out between different UK police forces. They work with the UK intelligence agencies to protect the public and our national infrastructure.
Our officers and staff are at the frontline of the UK’s fight against terrorism. They work to prevent, disrupt and investigate extremists, whatever their ideology.
Action Counters Terrorism
In March 2017, National Counter Terrorism Policing launched ACT (Action Counters Terrorism).
This is a platform which brings together counter-terrorism campaigns to warn, inform and reassure the public.
Make Nothing Happen was the first national advertising campaign to be launched under ACT.
Its aim is to encourage the public to trust their instincts to report anything they see or hear which may be terrorist related.
Cooperation between the public and the police is the best way of tackling terrorism.
We remain committed to encouraging the public to be part of the Counter Terrorism effort. This will help us stop attacks happening in the first place.
Examples of suspicious behaviour
- Hiring large vehicles or similar for no obvious reason
- Buying or storing a large amount of chemicals, fertilisers or gas cylinders for no obvious reason
- Taking notes or photos of security arrangements or inspecting CCTV cameras in an unusual way
- Looking at extremist material, or sharing and creating content that promotes or glorifies terrorism (including the so-called dark web)
- Someone receiving deliveries for unusual items bought online
- Promoting hateful ideas or an extremist ideology
- Holding firearms, other weapons or showing an interest in getting them
- Holding passports or other documents in different names, for no obvious reason
- Anyone who goes away travelling for a long time but is vague about where
- Someone carrying out suspicious or unusual bank transactions.
Reporting suspicious behaviour
Communities defeat terrorism. Like other criminals, terrorists need to plan. If you see or hear something unusual or suspicious trust your instincts and ACT by reporting it in confidence at gov.uk/ACT. In an emergency call 999.
No information will be ignored. What you tell us is treated in the strictest confidence. It will be researched by experienced officers before, and if, any police action is taken.
Any information could be important, it is better to be safe and report. You can help the police prevent terrorism and save lives. You are not wasting our time. We will only take action after the appropriate checks have been carried out.
It is now more important than ever that everyone plays their part in tackling terrorism.
Trust your instincts and ACT. Action Counters Terrorism.
Lives could be saved by reporting suspicious behaviour and activity.
